Around the Tracks: Owners and trainers on board as betting shops’ trial nears
The trial period begins on Tuesday, September 1 with racing from Curraheen Park, and, as expected, the start of the card has been brought forward to fit in with the opening hours of the shops.
The first race on the night will be at 7pm or in the few minutes after, which means all greyhounds will have to be weighed in before 6.30pm.
That presents its own problems, but there seems to be an appetite amongst owners and trainers to be involved in this trial so, hopefully, that won’t be an issue.
Not having non-runners is one of a number of factors which is extremely important to the success of the trial run, therefore anyone with runners at Curraheen, Youghal or Mullingar in that 12-week period can expect to be bombarded with gentle reminders/warnings from management over the coming weeks and months.
Patrons of Curraheen Park should also note that, due to Tuesday night racing recommencing on September 1, the meeting scheduled for next Thursday, August 27, has been cancelled.
Mullingar’s first live broadcast will take place on Sunday afternoon, September 6, with Youghal on the Monday, September 7. As with Curraheen, Youghal will get underway at 7pm or a set time very close to that, while Mullingar’s matinee meeting will kick-start at 3.14pm.
At the completion of the trial, the racing schedules at the three tracks will return to their usual days and times each week.
Tomorrow night provides the last opportunity to avail of the free entry to Youghal track. Courtesy of the continued support of the Track Supporters’ Club, it’s always a shame when it comes to an end because the effects are quite evident in the crowds and, consequently, the Tote pools.
Any TSC or other similar group looking to boost interest in racing locally should look at Youghal to see how successful it can be. While it is a temporary lift, it opens the sport to many who would otherwise likely not go racing, and that can only be a good thing.
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Those amongst us who use the Irish Greyhound Board website to watch live racing will have noticed the considerable changes to the ‘bet now’ section of the site – and how welcome they are!
Although it’s in its infancy, and I haven’t had a chance to test it thoroughly, there is a much more natural feel to the page now, much more in tune with the tried and tested formats of other successful betting firms.
The fact all pools (win, place, forecast and trio) are on the one screen aids speed and convenience, while there is a fine addition of ‘form, videos andanalysis’. The latter is a link option for each race, from which full details of each greyhound can be seen. On the resultant pop-up screen are included individual lines of form, with links to the videos of those races.
As mentioned previously, I’ve always found the website and app to be it’s a great facility for watching live races. Hopefully these changes will encourage others to get on board.
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Ballymac Bonnie was quite brilliant in Tuesday night’s final of the TV Trophy at Towcester, rewarding the bravery of trainer Liam Dowling in bringing the Corn Cuchulainn winner to England for the marathon and, in the process, becoming the first Irish-trained winner of the competition.
Away well, she was a little short of room at the first bend and only fifth passing the winning line with a circuit to go. Thereafter she was a joy to watch, scything through the field with consummate ease, before hitting the front between the last couple of bends. Avenging her Night of Stars defeat of 2014 would look a formality if she turns up in the same shape.
Clearly, the kennel’s runners are in superb form, as pacesetter Ballymac Matt is now clear favourite for the Derby, while 2014 finalist Vulturi showed he retains plenty of his old sparkle when runner-up to Leave At Dawn in his first-round heat.
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